Pride and Prejudice

Non-Canon AU

Fan Fiction

I am My Father's Daughter

Note: For anyone that read my last story: I forgot to thank you for any input that made it a better story. Also ...I DO thank my beta-reader for all the help she has given. Mistakes however are still all my own. (hopefully, FF does not mess up my chapters like the last story...that was annoying).

Anne at a Ball

Ch. 1

Anne was not sure what she felt as the carriage approached the grand mansion of Lord Matlock, a distant cousin of theirs living in London. Her mother, and she, had been invited to a ball celebrating the engagement of his daughter to some baron north. He had a strange name Anne could not pronounce as it was not of English origins. She had not been to many social events due to her ill-health; so her mother had led people to believe and Anne had done nothing to prove her mother wrong. However; this time around Anne had shocked her mother by being well enough for Lady Catherine to feel able to accept the invitation on behalf of them both.

Anne was not as stupid, or dim-witted, as many -including Lady Catherine- believed her to be. She knew full-well that her mother had ulterior motives for accepting the invitation. It was common knowledge -in Anne's eyes- that Lady Catherine had not given up on her plan to marry Anne to Mr. Darcy.

Her mother had been furious when she had discovered Mr. Darcy had indeed married Elizabeth Bennet, who she deemed to be of inferior birth and connections. It was no secret Lady Catherine had tried to dissuade the former Miss Bennet from accepting her nephew's proposal. Her mother had hoped that Mr. Darcy would eventually realize his mistake and seek an annulment, but -to the lady's utter dismay -that had not happened. Instead, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth had been happily married for almost three years.

Anne had secretly rejoiced over their union, for she had never loved him, and she was not stupid enough to think he had ever had feelings for her. They had not really been betrothed since childhood; that had all been in her mother's eyes and a handful of relatives; the rest of the family had humored those that believed Lady Catherine. Nonetheless, even they - as Anne had grown older- could see the ridiculousness of such a marriage.

No, Anne had always sensed that Mr. Darcy regarded her with pity and indifference, rather than affection and respect. Ann had admitted -only to herself- she admired him for his intelligence and generosity, but she had also never liked that pride of his and had never been able to break through it -even without her mother around. Therefore, she had wished him well, but had not ever desired to be his wife so why push the subject. As to his new wife?

Anne had felt an instant kinship with Elizabeth, whom she had met once at Rosings, when Elizabeth had visited her friend, Charlotte Collins. Anne had loved listening to Elizabeth's wit, and had admired her courage and sharp mind. She had seen how Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth. It had not surprised her that it had led to such strong feeling between the two; in fact, she had spotted it long before others. It was then she had begun to hope, and pray, that they would be able to get together- and stay that way- against all odds.

But Lady Catherine had not shared Anne's opinions when she had -once- ventured to speak of them. No, it was then her mother had been determined to break up their union, and get him back for her own daughter. Her mother, when that had failed, had tried matching her daughter up with Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Anne had met Colonel Fitzwilliam once, when he had visited Rosings with Mr. Darcy. She had not minded her cousin. Richard been polite and friendly enough, but it had not taken long to see that the colonel felt nothing more than sorry for her. That he was bored by Anne's company. The interests such as a love of books and gardening her mother could not, or would not, see in Anne did not match up with his. Nor did she care to travel and, good heavens, she really could take or leave high society. Therefore, to end both their torture of having to deal with each other; Anne had been the one to cut things off.

Ann putting an end to things now made her suspect her mother had her eyes on Lord Matlock's son, James as a husband for her daughter. James was cousin of Mr. Darcy's and Anne's, and would inherit his father's title and fortune after his death. People claimed he was a handsome and charming gentleman, who had served in the army with distinction, and who was well-liked by everyone. He was also a bachelor, who had not shown any particular interest in any lady, except for another cousin, whom he had briefly courted before the lady had decided they were not well suited.

"You have a chance tonight, Anne." Hissed her mother. "To see different, new and exciting things. You get to see London, the capital of England. The center of culture and fashion. A place where everything happens. You are well enough to go for once in your life."

"If you say so, Mother." Anne spoke with no particular emotion, but with no sign of being ill- something her mother should have picked up on, she did not.

"I do say so." Lady Catherine snapped impatiently. "Lord Matlock always holds the most elegant and finest balls, his guests wear the finest clothes and are up to date on the latest fashions. Colonel Fitzwilliam will be there too; you both should consider giving yourselves a second chance if this does not work out with Lord Whitlock's son."

Ann quit dwelling on the rest of the conversation as she looked out the window. It would do no good. It had threatened to break out into an all out war. And, so, they rode the rest of the way in silence.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the mansion. She said nothing, as her mother got out of the carriage first, and walked ahead of her inside. Anne said nothing, as they were announced by the butler, and greeted by Lord Matlock and his family. She said nothing, as they entered the ballroom, and joined the other guests.

Anne may not have been speaking, and may have chosen -much to her mother's dismay- to have sat on the sidelines, but her ears were picking up more than most would have given her credit for. Things like 'I would never live in such a meager place like Netherfield', 'Poor Anne, how patient she must be not to speak ill of her cousin when he married such trash as Miss Bennet' 'I do not know what Anne is going to do when her mother passes on , who is going to take her in? She is too weak to take care of herself and if any man married her that is her, I guarantee you it will be out of pity.'

Anne's eyes remained 'unseeing', but inside herself she rolled them. If they only knew, if they only knew. She would have begun her own little monologue rant in her head only her mother walked up with Lord Matlock's son and suggested they dance.

"Be my guest, mother, but do you not think you are bit old for him?" Anne could not help it, she lit it slip out and hid the laughter inside as her mother's eyes widened in look of horror and, while Lord Matlock's son was just as appalled he still -if somewhat stiffly offered to dance with Anne; if it would not press her delicate health too much.

"I think I can make it through one dance." Her tone went completely over this man's head, but got a look of "Anne!" Out of her mother.

Anne danced quite well - to the shock of those around her. She did not miss a beat and her partner was not hindered on doing his part. So, their danced was not stilted or awkward. However; their talk was. James totally misunderstood her humor and thought Anne was mocking him and those around her, rather than the situations which presented themselves to view. Anne-silently groaned- at James' lack of intelligence. His inability to catch a joke and so forth. Needless to say, both were relieved when the dance was over.

"Could you not at least pretended to have enjoyed to his company?" Hissed her mother once they were back in their carriage.

"I am sorry if I do not have your skill to placate people." Anne replied too drained from all the noise of the evening to care how she came across to her mother.

"Anne, what has gotten into you? You should apologize to me."

"I believe I just did." Anne closed her eyes; thus, missed a worried look on her mother's face who deduced her daughter simply had overtaxed herself by coming to the night's event. However, if the air around Anne could have been heard Lady Catherine would have jumped. It was a faint sizzling sound as if something was threatening to pop and then explode. As if warning those around Miss de Borough's pressure was building up and would soon blow. And when it did? a roof might just go flying across multiple gardens before landing into a thousand pieces.